Development Services
A permit is required for projects such as new construction, additions, remodeling or repairs to electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. All new permits and approvals must be submitted online. Visit the Forms and Publications page to obtain a complete listing of all building forms, information bulletins and other helpful resources.
Select a permit or approval below to start your application. View our Frequently Asked Questions about permits.
Alternate Methods and Materials
Apply to submit requests to use alternate materials, design or construction methods or a proposed code modification for your project. All changes, modifications or alterations to the approved plans and specifications during construction must be reviewed and approved by the City of San Diego prior to being incorporated into the construction documents.
This permit ensures that construction projects comply with local, state and federal standards for land use, zoning and construction, and verify compliance with the minimum standards that help safeguard life or limb, public health, property and welfare. Applications for an address/address change should also be submitted in this location. Eligibility for Rapid Review will be determined by staff based on project scope.
Does your project include any of the following?
An application/permit is required for each item below.
Construction Change and As-Graded to Engineering Permit
Apply to submit changes to approved grading and right-of-way permit or apply for a deferred As-Graded approval. For projects that were issued originally in a paper version, a scanned set of the approved drawings will be required to be uploaded for the reviewers.
Construction Change to Building Permit & Deferred Submittals
Apply to submit changes to approved Building, Combination, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Sign permits and for deferred submittals. For projects that were issued originally in a paper version, a scanned set of the approved drawings will be required to be uploaded for the reviewers.
Demolition/Removal permits are required for the complete demolition and/or removal of any structure and are reviewed for compliance with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare. The intent of these procedures is to protect the public against personal injury or property damage and to ensure completion of the demolition or removal and cleanup of the site. A Demolition/Removal Permit is not required to demolish part of a structure. Partial demolition will require a Building Permit.
This permit is required when a project may have impacts on the surrounding area due to a proposed use, design feature or project location. Substantial Conformance Review, amendment requests for existing discretionary permits, and development and policy approval requests described in Information Bulletin 503 should be submitted in this location.
This permit is required for the installation, alteration, addition or replacement of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, and to comply with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard life or limb, public health, property and welfare.
Photovoltaic (PV) permits not qualifying for the Residential Rooftop-Mounted Solar PV Permit below and electric vehicle charging stations not requiring a building permit shall be submitted via this link. If the scope of work includes any structural modifications to an existing building, any new structures, or if PV panels are ground-mounted, a Building Permit is required to be submitted.
Are you applying for a simple no-plan Electrical Permit for a minor installation? This includes:
To learn more about Simple Permits, see Information Bulletin 103.
This permit or construction changes to a fire permit is required for the installation of fire suppression systems, fire alarm system, or component of such systems, and to comply with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety and welfare.
This permit is required when a project will change the topography of a property when conducting certain excavations or filling-in of an area. Construction changes to an existing Grading Permit, Site Reconnaissance and Testing applications, and As-Graded Soils Reports should also be submitted in this location.
This approval is required by State law and City Ordinance that the City Land Surveyor review and approve survey documents related to development projects to determine its conformity to law (such as zoning), its satisfaction of a development condition of approval, and its technical adequacy.
This permit is required for the installation, alteration, replacement or repair of addition or replacement of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration system, and to comply with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard life or limb, public health, property and welfare.
Are you applying for a simple no-plan Mechanical Permit for a minor installation? This includes:
To learn more about Simple Permits, see Information Bulletin 103.
A mobile food truck permit is required for mobile food truck operations on private property.
Paper to Digital Plan Conversion
Apply to convert existing paper applications and plans for Building and Combination Building permits that started in paper form prior to July 1, 2020, into digital formats, helping you submit plans and other documents for your project online 24/7.
This permit is required for the alteration, addition or replacement of a plumbing system or portion of a plumbing system within or on any structure or premises and to comply with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.
Are you applying for a simple no-plan Plumbing Permit for a minor installation? This includes:
To learn more about Simple Permits, see Information Bulletin 103.
A preliminary review is a flat fee-based service tailored to your specific project to help you obtain general information on the regulations that apply to your project, find out which permits you must obtain, the review process that applies to your development, and obtain interpretations on how the City will apply code provisions to specific situations. Staff responses to your specific questions will be documented and provided to you at the completion of the review.
Residential Rooftop-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
This permit is required to install a rooftop-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system on a sloped roof of a single-family home or duplex structure when the PV panels weigh 6 lbs/square feet or less. If the scope of work includes any structural modifications to the existing building, any new structure to support the panels such as carports or shade structures, or if the PV panels are ground-mounted, a Building Permit is required to be submitted.
This permit is required for any new construction or above ground or underground improvements in the public right-of-way, including utilities such as water, sewer, gas and electric lines. The public right-of-way is located outside the boundaries of the private property lines. This permit is also required for encroachments into any public or private utility easement.
Is the requested Right of Way Permit for one of the following improvements?
This permit allows for the use of the public right-of-way and private property for outdoor dining through Streetaries, Active Sidewalks, Outdoor Dining on Private Property and Promenades.
Street Address Request or Change
This application is to request new street addresses or street address changes not included in an existing building permit application. This application changes or assigns address numbers and is not used to change the street name.
Temporary Outdoor Business Operation Permit
This permit allows for the temporary use of a street, sidewalk, or parking lane for business. Most operations conducted within private properties - including privately-owned parking lots - are NOT required to obtain this permit.
A temporary use permit (TUP) is for certain uses for limited time periods in locations where the uses would not otherwise be allowed in the applicable zone.
This permit is required for all public improvement projects, construction projects or other work encroaching into the public right-of-way, including the sidewalks, parking spaces, medians, alleys and streets.
This approval is needed to request zoning use verifications for regulated uses by other agencies, including the sale, distribution and consumption of alcohol, animal shelters, vehicle dismantling or registration, out-patient medical clinics and related facilities, as well as firearm sales.
To check your status or construction changes, select your application below.